Jay-Z Provides the Blueprint for College Course

citizen |

``You're doing the class there,'' Dyson says Jay-Z told him. ``I'm doing kind of the master class while I'm in concert.'' Photo: Joella Marano
``You're doing the class there,'' Dyson says Jay-Z told him. ``I'm doing kind of the master class while I'm in concert.'' Photo: Joella Marano

WASHINGTON - Michael Eric Dyson parses Jay-Z's rap lyrics of as if analyzing fine literature. The rapper's riffs on luxury cars and tailored clothes and boasts of being the ``Mike Jordan of recording'' may make for catchy rhymes, but to Dyson, they also reflect incisive social commentary.

Dyson, a professor, author, radio host and television personality, has offered at Georgetown University this semester a popular, if unusual, class dedicated to Jay-Z and his career. The course, ``Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay-Z, confronts topics present in any sociology course: racial and gender identity, sexuality, capitalism and economic inequality.

``I think he's an icon of American excellence,'' Dyson said.

By ERIC TUCKERAssociated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

JERALD GARY- REGAL THEATER